Note. It is to be observed that there is a decided difference in sound, except in the case of a, between the long and the short vowels. It is not merely a matter of quantity but also of quality.

6. In diphthongs (two-vowel sounds) both vowels are heard in a single syllable.

Diphtongs

Latin Examples

ae as ai in aisle

tae'-dae

au as ou in out

gau'-dĕt

ei as ei in eight

hei

eu as ĕ'o͝o (a short e followed by a short u in one syllable)

seu

oe like oi in toil

foe'-dŭs

ui like o͝o'ĭ (a short u followed by a short i in one syllable. Cf. English we)

cui, huic

Note. Give all the vowels and diphthongs their proper sounds and do not slur over them in unaccented syllables, as is done in English.

7. Consonants are pronounced as in English, except that

Consonants

Latin Examples

c is always like c in cat, never as in cent

că'-dō, cĭ'-bŭs, cē'-nă

g is always like g in get, never as in gem

gĕ'-mō, gĭg'-nō

i consonant is always like y in yes

iăm, iŏ'-cŭs

n before c, qu, or g is like ng in sing (compare the sound of n in anchor)

ăn'-cŏ-ră (ang'-ko-ra)

qu, gu, and sometimes su before a vowel have the sound of qw, gw, and sw. Here u has the value of consontant v and is not counted a vowel

ĭn'-quĭt, quī, lĭn'-guă, săn'-guĭs, suā'dĕ-ō'

s is like s in sea, never as in ease

rǒ'-să, ĭs

t is always like t in native, never as in nation

ră'-tĭ-ō, nā'-tĭ-ō

Consonants

Latin Examples

v is like w in wine never as in vine

vī'-nǔm, vǐr

x has the value of two consonants (cs or gs) and is like x in extract, not as in exact

ěx'-trā, ěx-āc'-tǔs

bs is like ps and bt like pt

ǔrbs, ǒb-tǐ'-ně-ō

ch, ph, and th are like c,p, t

pǔl'-chěr, Phoe'-bē, thě-ā'-trǔm

a. In combinations of consonants give each its distinct sound. Doubled consonants should be pronounced with a slight pause between the two sounds. Thus pronounce tt as in rat-trap, not as in rattle; pp as in hop-pole, not as in upper. Examples, mǐt'-tō, Ǎp'pǐ-ǔs, běl-lǔm.

11. The quantity of a vowel or a syllable is the time it takes to pronounce it. Correct pronunciation and accent depend upon the proper observance of quantity.

12. Quantity of Vowels. Vowels are either long ( ¯ ) or short ( ˘ ). In this book the long vowels are marked. Unmarked vowels are to be considered short.

1. A vowel is short before another vowel or h ; as pŏ-ē'-ta, tră'-hō.

2. A vowel is short before nt and nd, before final m or t, and, except in words of one syllable, before final l or r. Thus a'-mănt, a-măn'-dus, a-mā'-băm, a-mā'-băt, a'-ni-măl, a'-mŏr.

3. A vowel is long before nf, ns, nx, and nct. Thus īn'-fe-rō, re'-gēns, sān'-xī, sānc'-tus.

4. Diphthongs are always long, and are not marked.

13. Quantity of Syllables. Syllables are either long or short, and their quantity must be carefully distinguished from that of vowels.

1. A syllable is short,

a. If it ends in a short vowel; as ă'-mō, pĭ'-grī.

Note. In final syllables the short vowel may be followed by a final consonant. Thus the word mĕ-mŏ'-rĭ-ăm contains four short syllables. In the first three a short vowel ends the syllable, in the last the short vowel is followed by a final consonant.

2. A syllable is long,

a. If it contains a long vowel or a diphthong, as cū'-rō, poe'-nae, aes-tā'-te.

b. If it ends in a consonant which is followed by another consonant, as cor'-pus, mag'-nus.

Note. The vowel in a long syllable may be either long or short, and should be pronounced accordingly. Thus in ter'-ra, in'-ter, the first syllable is long, but the vowel in each case is short and should be given the short sound. In words like saxum the first syllable is long because x has the value of two consonants (cs or gs).

3. In determining quantity h is not counted a consonant.

Note. Give about twice as much time to the long syllables as to the short ones. It takes about as long to pronounce a short vowel plus a consonant as it does to pronounce a long vowel or a diphthong, and so these quantities are considered equally long. For example, it takes about as long to say cǔr'-rō as it does cū'-rō, and so each of these first syllables is long. Compare mǒr-lis and mō'-lis, a-mis'-sī and ā-mā'-sī.

14. Words of two syllables are accented on the first, as mēn'-sa, Cae'-sar.

15. Words of more than two syllables are accented on the penult if the penult is long. If the penult is short, accent the antepenult. Thus mo-nē'-mus, re'-gi-tur, a-gri'-co-la, a-man'-dus.

Note. Observe that the position of the accent is determined by the length of the syllable and not by the length of the vowel in the syllable. (Cf.§ 13.2, Note.)

16. Certain little words called enclit'ics[5] which have no separate existence, are added to and pronounced with a preceding word. The most common are que, and; -ve, or; and -ne, the question sign. The syllable before an enclitic takes the accent, regardless of its quantity. Thus populus'que, dea'que, rēgna've, audit 'ne.

17. To read Latin well is not so difficult, if you begin right. Correct habits of reading should be formed now. Notice the quantities carefully, especially the quantity of the penult, to insure your getting the accent on the right syllable. (Cf. § 15.) Give every vowel its proper sound and every syllable its proper length. Then bear in mind that we should read Latin as we read English, in phrases rather than in separate words. Group together words that are closely connected in thoughts. No good reader halts at the end of each word.

18. Read the stanzas of the following poem by Longfellow, one at a time, first the English and then the Latin version. The syllables inclosed in parentheses are to be slurred or omitted to secure smoothness of meter.

↑N.B. The sounds of the letters are best learned by hearing them correctly pronounced. The matter in this section is, therefore, intended for reference rather than for assignment as a lesson. As a first step it is suggested that the teacher pronounce the examples in class, the pupils following.